Students spent a few hours of their afternoon hand-stitching heart keychains and connections at the Christlike Community of Covenant Belonging event.
“We recognize that we are here, knitting our hearts together, trying to sew little keychains as a symbol of how we have that faith that unifies us, the love of God that unifies us,” said Lisa Leake, manager of Belonging Educational Services.
Students can make one keychain for themselves and one to give to someone else as a symbol of belonging between students on campus.
“The whole event is focused on the scripture from Mosiah 18, that our hearts will be knit together as one, become a community of Christ,” said Julianne Grose, associate vice president of belonging.
BYU Belonging representatives say that events like this one are especially important now, with loneliness on the rise.
“I think that there can be a lot of students who are feeling lonely on campus,” Grose said.
This event gives students an opportunity to build connections with others while working towards a common goal.
“What unifies us here is that love and that focus together,” Leake said.
“This is what we’re really trying to help with today, gathering people together, getting them to talk to each other, getting that community built up,” Grose said.
BYU Belonging hosts events like this one throughout the semester, and everyone is always welcome.